Coronavirus in the UK

A personal experience and reflection of the 2020 pandemic so far…

This is the year that the world had big expectations for; another decade has passed, and big news for the UK the Brexit deal had gone through after a gruelling period of negotiation, whether you voted this or not you wanted it done. It felt like things were moving forward.

Issues that were a priority have taken a back seat and globally, the streets of bustling cities, towns & villages have come to a halt. Coronavirus has swept the globe causing a pandemic. All non-essential shops are closed and the government have given direction for everybody to stay indoors unless for food shopping, one form of exercise or if you are a key worker.

I have been in quarantine since 1st March. A week prior to this I had gone skiing with a group of friends for 7 days to the well known resort of St Anton in Austria, a place with a combination of idyllic skiing locations and buzzing apres spots. Nothing could beat the first Aperol Spritz after a day of skiing. We all went away with the knowledge that Coronavirus was taking its course from China through Europe, but no cases had been confirmed in Austria – we were safe right? With little knowledge about the severity of the virus – not even about the symptoms – we carried on as normal.

It wasn’t until a day before we were due to fly back that I knew something wasn’t right. I was exhausted compared with my friends who were lively, not to mention that irritating gritty throat that had started on Wednesday. Sunday we made it back home to London. Nearly as soon as I arrived at the flat my temperature had shot up, despite feeling shivery. This was the start of quarantine for me. The worst of the symptoms lasted about a week and a half, in which I was still able to work from home although with some difficulty. Following this came loss of senses (smell and taste). This had not yet been observed as a symptom and despite friends claiming this was normal of having flu, I was suspicious. I had never experienced this before. In total I had 3 weeks with symptoms.

Just one week after returning from the trip it was reported that all ski resorts were closed down, guess why? Because they were the main areas for outbreak of COVID19 in Austria, during the very time that I had visited. Whether I had Coronavirus or not is still a myth because I was refused testing – Austria “wasn’t on the warning list” of places with outbreaks in the first week of my return. Overall, if it was COVID my experience was mild / manageable.

Like everyone else the pandemic has changed life for me in many ways including work, leisure, socialising, diet, exercise… everything. I cannot say it is all bad however, with no fast food and no commuting to work I like to see it as a rare moment in time to heal, rest and reflect. Thankfully I can still work from home in my full time PR & Social role, as well as broadcasting my shows with Vibe107.6 in Watford from my bedroom. Whilst this presented some challenges in the beginning, I am grateful for how smoothly it is going. It is astonishing just how much we can do from home to stay connected and keep working. The set up for presenting only consists of a microphone, a laptop and earphones along with software that is easy to access online. My set up also includes my mixer, specifically for DJ’ing.

Caroline’s set up at home for DJ’ing & Presenting

Content for my shows has changed too. Whilst I am maintaining my usual chatty and cheery self on air, it has become very important to reiterate serious government guidelines. We have seen the front pages covered with photos of full parks, as well as reports of house parties up and down the country. It is important for broadcasters to help re-enforce those guidelines.

Additionally, whilst content pre COVID19 was generally a mix of local, national and fun loving stories, it now seems there is a flood of information to be shared surrounding local community activity. There are even more local people and businesses in need, and more who are volunteering or sharing initiatives. Yes lockdown is a difficult time, but something very positive is happening in the community – we are pulling together stronger than ever before. It is an honour as a presenter to be able to share such stories and help those in need by promoting their message. If the support from the community was not obvious in the normal light of day, it is certainly shining through in this darkness.

We have now been in official UK lockdown for a month and in the past two weeks we have seen the highest death toll in connection with coronavirus as well as the global economy plummet lower than ever before. We have also seen our Prime minister, Boris Johnson, being admitted into intensive care after testing positive with the virus, although he is recovering now.

This is without a doubt a moment for the history books. One that will change the shape of the future as we knew it. Sadly, there will be many who won’t know what the future looks like because the virus will have gripped them, but for others uncertainty awaits.

Thank you to the NHS

I would like to take this opportunity to once again say #THANKYOUNHS and to other critical workers in supermarkets and pharmacies. Putting your life on the line to help others is selfless and should / will be commended.